I’m the Owner of the Pokémon Day Care In the World of Pokémon

After parting ways with Ninetales, Yuga went to the Ecopark and then took a detour to the Island Ecopark.

As soon as he stepped out of the light gate, he saw Chatot standing with its eyes closed on the skeleton of Ho-Oh.

Yuga's arrival startled Chatot. Upon recognizing him, it immediately flapped its wings and flew down, landing on Yuga's shoulder.

"Oh my, it's been such a long time since I've seen you! I missed you so much!" Chatot said in an overly dramatic manner, even putting on a shy expression.

Yuga was used to this kind of behavior and wasn't surprised. He turned his head to examine Chatot with a puzzled look. "What's up with your feathers? Did you dye them?"

Chatot's feathers were still the same colors, but compared to before, they had become unusually vibrant.

The feathers on its neck were still yellow, but now they gleamed with a golden shine. Its belly feathers remained green but had turned an emerald hue, even appearing somewhat translucent. The feathers on its back were still blue but now as bright as the sky itself, dazzlingly clear.

The most dramatic change, however, was in the black feathers on its head and tail. Under the sunlight, they shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors—truly the embodiment of "iridescent black."

Hearing Yuga mention its feathers, Chatot instantly puffed up with pride. Even if Yuga hadn't brought it up, Chatot had been itching to show off anyway.

It flapped its wings and circled around Yuga, then smugly said, "Look at me! Aren't my new feathers just stunning?"

Chatot's way of flaunting itself couldn't be more flamboyant, but Yuga didn't find it particularly attractive. The colors were too flashy—too gaudy, in fact.

"Yeah, yeah, very nice," Yuga said, not wanting to dampen Chatot's enthusiasm. He figured if he indulged it, it wouldn't keep nagging him. Chatot, completely oblivious to Yuga's insincerity, continued to admire its reflection, reveling in its own beauty.

"But you still haven't told me—how did your feathers end up like this? Did you really dye them?"

Chatot was well-acquainted with people in town, so it wouldn't be surprising if it had gone to a hair salon for a "makeover." The shopkeepers might not even have charged it.

Upon hearing Yuga's question, Chatot was immediately offended. It landed back on Yuga's shoulder, proudly spreading its wings and puffing out its chest. "Take a good look—this is all-natural! 100% real! How could something fake be this beautiful?"

It turned out that not long after Yuga had left, Chatot had started losing feathers. It had been terrified—while it wasn't as vain as Ninetales, it still prided itself on being a handsome "gentleman." If it went bald, wouldn't it end up looking like a plucked chicken?

However, within just two days, Chatot's feathers grew back, and they were even more dazzling than before, much to its delight.

But before it could fully enjoy its new look, it started losing feathers again. Just like last time, in another two days, the feathers grew back, and this time, they were even brighter.

This cycle of shedding and regrowth repeated four or five times before things finally stabilized. Now, it maintained its current radiant appearance without any further feather loss.

"There's more! There's more!"

Chatot flew off Yuga's shoulder to an open spot by the lake. It flapped its wings forcefully, and waves of scorching flames rolled out, instantly charring the ground black. The grass was completely incinerated, not even leaving ashes behind.

"See? Impressive, right? All thanks to my hard training!" Chatot said smugly.

"Wait... Is this your Heat Wave move?"

Yuga stared wide-eyed in surprise and said, "This power is a bit exaggerated. Chatot is only an Elite level Pokémon, but this move of its is almost Champion level!"

The move Heat Wave, as the name suggests, usually manifests as waves of heat, but Chatot had used it in a way that made blazing flames surge up.

If it weren't for the fact that Heat Wave was the only Fire-type attack Chatot could learn, Yuga would have hardly recognized it as the same move.

Yuga suspected that all the changes in Chatot were due to the influence of Ho-Oh's remains and had nothing to do with its own efforts.

However, for now, the results were positive.

"Chatot, have you learned any other Fire-type moves?" Although Yuga's Insight ability allowed him to see Chatot's data, he still asked, since his ability wasn't infallible and could sometimes miss things.

"Ah, other Fire-type moves? Sunny Day!"

"Other than Sunny Day," Yuga replied, as Chatot already knew that move.

"Then no," Chatot admitted.

Yuga had been wondering whether, under the influence of Ho-Oh's remains, Chatot could learn other Fire-type moves. But it seemed that Chatot was still just Chatot—it hadn't transformed into a Ho-Oh.

"Not bad, not bad. You've gotten a lot stronger; it looks like you didn't slack off while I was gone," Yuga took the opportunity to praise Chatot.

"Of course! I'm not the kind of Pokémon who slacks off when the boss isn't around!" Chatot, who never understood the meaning of modesty, puffed up with pride at the compliment. "You have no idea..."

"Alright, alright. Where's your wife? I need to talk to her," Yuga cut off Chatot before it could start bragging again.

"Oh, you're looking for Kitty-chan? Come with me," Chatot said.

Under Chatot's guidance, Yuga found the Noctowl perched on a large tree outside the Island Ecological Park. She was currently instructing her subordinates.

When Noctowl saw Yuga approaching, she called out to the other Noctowl and Hoothoot gathered around. In response, they all flapped their wings and flew away.

"Noctowl~"

Boss, you're back.

Noctowl landed by Yuga's feet and greeted him.

"I'm back. Before I left, you mentioned finding a Squirtle group. Are you still monitoring them?" Yuga asked. He had come specifically for this matter today.

"Noctowl~"

Yes, boss. Do you want to go now? I can lead the way.

"Alright, let's take a look," Yuga nodded.

"Noctowl~"

Follow me.

Noctowl said and spread her wings, taking off into the sky.

Seeing this, Chatot quickly followed suit, and Yuga released Dragonite, hopped on its back, and hurried after them.

After flying for nearly two hours, Yuga spotted a small river. The water was crystal clear, and he could faintly see Pokémon such as Poliwag, Goldeen, and Marill living in it.

Following the river upstream, Yuga saw a cave, from which the river flowed.

"Noctowl~"

This is the places.

Noctowl said, turning to Yuga.

Yuga and Noctowl landed by the riverbank, but just as their feet touched the ground, a Wartortle suddenly poked its head out of the water.

Yuga quickly put his finger to his lips, making a quiet gesture, and then led everyone to quietly hide in the nearby bushes.

After emerging from the water, the Wartortle cautiously looked around. Upon seeing no one else around, it crawled onto the shore and headed toward the cave, dragging a long piece of aquatic grass in its hand.

Yuga recognized the aquatic plant—it was Salveyo weed, a commonly used herb primarily for treating paralysis in Pokémon, especially the paralysis caused by Grass-type moves such as Stun Spore. The herb provided an immediate effect in such cases.

This type of water grass typically grew in the clear waters of lakes and rivers in the wild. However, humans had already mastered large-scale cultivation of it, making it not particularly rare. It could be easily purchased in pharmacies, and various medicinal products derived from it were also available.

"Let's follow it," Yuga whispered.

Even though Noctowl and the others had been keeping watch here, they had never entered the cave before, fearing they might alert the targets. As a result, they had little knowledge of the cave's interior.

The cave was dimly lit but still provided just enough visibility to navigate. However, the high humidity inside was making things uncomfortable for Chatot. Ever since it had molted, it had grown increasingly averse to water.

The cave was eerily quiet, giving off a creepy vibe. As droplets of water dripped from the ceiling onto their heads, Chatot shrank in discomfort and perched on Yuga's shoulder, refusing to fly on its own any longer.

As they continued to follow the Wartortle, it suddenly disappeared from view. Hastening their pace, they pressed forward, only to find that the passage gradually became brighter. Eventually, they reached the end of the cave.

It turned out that this was not just a cave but a naturally formed tunnel. The small river continued beyond the tunnel, stretching into the distance, but the Wartortle was nowhere to be seen.

"Something's not right. Let's go back and search again!" Yuga said.

Noctowl had mentioned that Squirtle and Wartortle had been frequently entering and exiting the cave during their surveillance. If they didn't live here, why would they come and go so often?

Returning to the tunnel, Yuga and his Pokémon began a thorough search. However, after a long while, they still couldn't figure out how the Wartortle had vanished so suddenly.

"Noctowl~"

Just then, Noctowl called out. Yuga walked over and saw that Noctowl had used its psychic power to move a large rock aside, revealing a deep and dark hole beneath it.

"So that's how it is! There's a hidden passage!" Yuga exclaimed. "Come on, let's go down and check it out!"

The entrance to the passage was quite narrow, just barely big enough for Yuga to squeeze through. However, his plump Dragonite wouldn't fit, so Yuga had to return it to its Poké Ball.

Noctowl and Chatot, being smaller in size, had no such issues.

Staring at the mist rising from the hole, Chatot hesitated and said, "I think I'll stay outside and keep watch for you instead. I'll pass on going in."

Yuga thought for a moment and agreed, "Alright, you can stay here."

After saying that, Yuga and Noctowl entered the cave together. The cave was very deep, and Yuga relied on Noctowl, who was holding onto his clothes, to land safely.

Directly below the cave entrance was a pool of water, which explained why the Wartortle, despite not being able to fly, could safely descend without getting hurt.

As soon as Yuga entered, he began to survey the surroundings. This place turned out to be a stalactite cave, filled with oddly shaped stalactites, with several small pools scattered around.

However, before Yuga could take a good look, the Squirtle hiding in the pools spotted him.

"Squirtle~"

With a cry, round little heads popped up from the water—one after another, all Squirtle and Wartortle. Seeing a human appear in their hideout, they huddled together in fear. They were timid, completely different from the fierce Pokémon Yuga had encountered on the island before.

Yuga used his Insight ability to scan the area and found that not only were the Squirtle and Wartortle here at low levels, but their potential was also mediocre. He didn't see a single one with high potential.

Though a bit disappointed, there was nothing he could do. However, Squirtle were a rare starter Pokémon. Regardless of their strength, their reputation alone made them highly valuable.

"Wartortle~"

Just then, a Wartortle stepped in front of Yuga, spreading its arms wide to protect the young ones behind it. Its gaze was firm, showing no fear towards Yuga.

This Wartortle was the same one Yuga and his group had encountered outside. Yuga was able to recognize it instantly among the other nearly identical Wartortle because of an injury on its forehead—about a centimeter-long wound.

"Wartortle~"

Seeing Yuga remain still, the Wartortle couldn't hold back any longer. It opened its mouth and shot a Water Gun straight at Yuga.

With a flap of its wings, Noctowl dispersed the Water Gun effortlessly. Then, with Extrasensory move, the Wartortle was frozen in place. No matter how hard it struggled, it couldn't break free from Noctowl's psychic grip.

Although the Wartortle was courageous, its strength was not much greater than the other Wartortle or Squirtle. Naturally, it was no match for Noctowl, a Pokémon at the Elite level.

However, Noctowl's attack seemed to ignite the courage and anger of the other Wartortle and Squirtle. Overcoming their fear, they all launched Water Guns at Yuga and Noctowl.

With so many Water Guns coming at once, Noctowl couldn't block them all. At this moment, Palossand emerged from Yuga's shadow space, placing itself in front of Yuga.

As the Water Guns hit its body, Palossand appeared unfazed. Instead, it started to grow taller and larger. Its menacing appearance startled the Squirtle and Wartortle.

Palossand was full of energy, having just absorbed a Geovena Stone from Yuga. Eager to prove its worth, it was ready to give its all for Yuga. With Gengar and Mismagius still in seclusion due to their Soul Crystals, this was the perfect opportunity for it to shine.

Even though it was among the weaker Pokémon in Yuga's team, Palossand was at least a pseudo-Elite level Pokémon. Protecting Yuga from these little ones was an easy task.

After blocking the Water Guns, Palossand extended a sand-formed hand from its body, lifting Yuga onto the walls of its central tower. With that, the Squirtle and Wartortle could no longer reach him with their attacks.

Once Yuga was settled, the right-side turret of Palossand suddenly transformed into a giant palm, slamming onto the ground. The earth trembled instantly, causing the stalactites on the cave ceiling to fall down in a cascade. The Squirtle and Wartortle in the pools were so frightened that they quickly ducked their heads back underwater.

"Take it easy, take it easy, this place can't handle you going all out like that," Yuga quickly shouted.

"Palossand~ Palossand~"

Palossand let out an embarrassed sound.

Just as Palossand was about to unleash another Earth Power, a deep, resonant cry echoed through the cave. Moments later, a Blastoise emerged from the largest pool in the center of the cave.

The moment the Blastoise appeared, the Wartortle and Squirtle cautiously peeked their heads out of the water once again.